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What Could Cause Sharp Pain On The Back Of Head With Mild Pressure?
Hi when I put very little pressure on the back of my head I get a sharp pain. I hit heads with someone about a year ago and ever since then that I can remember it hurts to put pressure on the back of my head. It hurts when I put my head on a pillow or the headrest in a car. Just about anything. What could this be?
Thu, 31 Oct 2019
Hello,
It sounds like you may be having what is called occipital neuralgia. There are two major nerves in the back of the head and go from the back of the head toward the top. Sometimes one or both of these nerves may become pinched and the point at were the nerve comes through the tissue layers becomes exquisitely sensitive to touch. If this is the case, you can typically find the exact point by putting pressure on an area the size of the tip of your finger.
When you bumped heads with the other person you may have had a slight concussion, but also what happens is that the impact puts strain on the muscle of your neck. Those muscles attach to the back of the skull and wrap all the way up to the top of the skull. Therefore, if there is tension on those muscles, it can cause a pressure sensation. When you put your head on a pillow, because you neck makes contact with the pillow, it also puts pressure on the muscles stretching them which can result in pain.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Janne Nissinen, Neurologist
It sounds like you may be having what is called occipital neuralgia. There are two major nerves in the back of the head and go from the back of the head toward the top. Sometimes one or both of these nerves may become pinched and the point at were the nerve comes through the tissue layers becomes exquisitely sensitive to touch. If this is the case, you can typically find the exact point by putting pressure on an area the size of the tip of your finger.
When you bumped heads with the other person you may have had a slight concussion, but also what happens is that the impact puts strain on the muscle of your neck. Those muscles attach to the back of the skull and wrap all the way up to the top of the skull. Therefore, if there is tension on those muscles, it can cause a pressure sensation. When you put your head on a pillow, because you neck makes contact with the pillow, it also puts pressure on the muscles stretching them which can result in pain.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Janne Nissinen, Neurologist
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Hi,
You may be describing the irritation of a nerve twiglet traversing the scalp referred to as either the greater or lesser occipital nerves. By placing direct pressure from laying on it or stretching when the head is turned or sleeping on the affected side then, a rather sharp, burning, electric like pain can ensue. I recommend making an appointment with a neurologist for best recommendations for such a headache.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Dariush Saghafi, Neurologist
You may be describing the irritation of a nerve twiglet traversing the scalp referred to as either the greater or lesser occipital nerves. By placing direct pressure from laying on it or stretching when the head is turned or sleeping on the affected side then, a rather sharp, burning, electric like pain can ensue. I recommend making an appointment with a neurologist for best recommendations for such a headache.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Dariush Saghafi, Neurologist
I find this answer helpful
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